Governor Greg Abbott has reaffirmed his stance on keeping undergraduate tuition and fees at Texas public colleges and universities steady for the 2026-27 academic year. In a letter addressed to the presidents of these institutions, Abbott emphasized that his directive to freeze tuition and fees remains in full effect.

State Investments in Higher Education

The governor’s letter comes at a critical time as universities are finalizing their budgets for the upcoming academic year. Abbott highlighted the significant state funding allocated to higher education, including over $680 million approved in 2023 for community college funding reforms and $328 million for increased financial aid in the 2025-27 budget cycle. These investments, he argues, justify maintaining the freeze on tuition and fees.

Despite the directive, some university systems, such as the University of Texas System, have sought to increase non-academic mandatory fees. These include fees for athletics, student services, medical services, and advising. For instance, at UT Rio Grande Valley, the university services fee is set to rise significantly starting in 2027.

Non-Academic Fee Increases

Archie L. Holmes Jr., the UT System’s executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, defended the proposed fee increases, stating they are non-academic and have been thoroughly considered. The increases, according to system documents, would not raise the average cost of attendance by more than 3.7%, aligning with the 2025 Higher Education Price Index.

Similarly, the Texas A&M University System is contemplating changes to fees at Tarleton State University. Proposed changes include increasing the health and wellness fee and the recreational and facilities fee, both of which received student support in recent votes.

Commitment to Affordability

In response to Abbott’s directive, UT System spokesman Ben Wright reiterated the system’s commitment to affordability. He highlighted efforts to cover tuition and fees for eligible undergraduates from families earning less than $100,000 annually. He also noted that over half of the UT graduates complete their education without tuition or fee debt.

As Abbott seeks reelection in November, he has expressed a desire to work with state lawmakers to extend the tuition freeze beyond the next academic year, ensuring continued financial relief for Texas students and families.

Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.